The average annual rainfall precipitation in the city of Akron, according to recent records is 56 inches. That’s almost 5 Ft. of water that can easily end up in the basement of your home.

There are many preventable measures to ensure that rainwater stays out of the basement of our homes and as far away as possible.

Clean the rain gutters of debris that has accumulated throughout the fall and spring.

Clear the rainwater downspouts, and make sure that water is finding a clear path from your home to the drain, or away from the foundation.

Replace broken or damaged gutters or downspouts that are improperly draining the rainwater.

Level the flowerbeds, and avoid over mulching close to the wall of the foundation.

These preventable measures can save you a lot of headaches down the road.And the older the home gets, the more vigilant you have to be to make sure water is not finding a way into your home. Many older homes start having problems because the waterproofing that was done during the construction of the home is already gone or has deteriorated to the point of being ineffective.

The water-resistant paint or the drainage membranes that were used to waterproof your basement might no longer do the job they were supposed to do, and they either need to be replaced or find another solution for the waterproofing instead.

Many homeowners believe they can do a DIY waterproofing to their home without consulting a professional.Many men and women are handy with tools, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they can do a waterproofing job to their home.If you have issues with the basement of your home, those issues can be the beginning of major structural problems down the road, and consulting a professional can save you money if you address the issue head-on.

Basement waterproofing solutions can be tailored to the particular problem you have in your home.Every home is different, and the solution for its waterproofing problem has to be tailored to that particular home. If you are a homeowner, call a professional if you have a water issue in your home. They can offer a hassle-free consultation to address your waterproofing issues right away.

Many homeowners do not know what is covered by their insurance company until they need to file a claim.Property damages done by a pipe bursting is covered by most insurances, groundwater damage may not be.

For many homeowners, damages done to the roof and basement of the home may not be covered by their insurance company, and they find out their deductible has to kick in before the company makes any payment to cover the damages.

Ask yourself these three questions about your home insurance policy and see if you know the answer without looking at your policy.

Does my insurance company cover groundwater damage? Most insurance companies will cover damages done to the dwelling of your home if the water damage was sudden and accidental. If the groundwater damage was due to the aging of the home, most insurances companies won’t cover it. You must purchase a different kind of coverage with your standard policy to cover any damage done to the property due to groundwater damage.

If my sewer backs up, is that covered? Most insurances policies won’t cover sewer backups, but once again you can purchase additional insurance to cover these eventualities.

Is flooding covered by my insurance policy?Most companies won’t cover flooding with your regular policy, but through the federal government, you can purchase flood insurance coverage that will protect you against such disasters.

Most disasters related to flooding come unexpectedly and many homeowners are not prepared.Personal belongings, appliances or other types of electronics stored in the basement can be lost in a blink of an eye and can cost you thousands of dollars to replace.The structural damage done to the basement can cost you much more than a few thousand and can put a strain on your finances if not covered by insurance.

Now that you know the type of policy you have, you need to take these three steps to ensure your property is safe and will be safe in the future.

Shop around to see if your agent is giving you the best option. Check the United States Government website concerning flood insurance. https://www.floodsmart.gov/ and make a decision to purchase it as soon as you can.

Make sure to inspect your basement, foundation, and roof for any signs of damage.

Many disasters occur when we least expect them, and even when we want to be prepared, it is impossible to predict when we will suffer one devastating disaster.What can we do to protect ourselves from such eventuality? The best advice is to buy the right insurance coverage to protect your assets and your families as soon as possible.

Homes in the North part of the country deal with a lot of weather changes throughout the years. From rain and snow and everything in between, the roofs and basements of our homes have to withstand much wear and tear due to weather.

Water damage due to improper grading or drainage systems can play havoc with the basement of your home and can cause the foundation to suffer structural damages that cannot be visible right away.

If you own a home and can see water damage in the basement, chances are the water problems have been there for longer than you suspect.The structural damage to the foundation may not be there yet, and that is one of the main reasons to call a professional to take care of this issue.

There are different methods to deal with a wet basement.Depending on what your basement problem is, there are two types of basement waterproofing options for you.

Exterior Basement Waterproofing Systems

What are the basement waterproofing systems that are commonly used to treat and solve your waterproofing problems?

If your contractor has advised having an exterior waterproofing done, then that requires:

a full excavation

A waterproof coating that is applied to seal the cracks and pores of the foundation

A waterproof membrane that is installed after the seal is applied

If a contractor has advised you that an interior basement system can solve your problem then the solutions are a bit different and the cost can be a lot smaller than a full excavation.

Interior Basement Waterproofing System

A pump system can be a recommendation you will get from a professional

An Interior drain installed

When calling a contractor and asking for a free consultation, make sure you understand the problem and the solutions they are giving you.Research their findings with your own findings and consult at least three different contractors before making a decision.A good, reputable firm will stand by their work and will offer you time to decide and consult with your spouse.DO NOT sign anything right away, and make sure you research the company or contractor of your choice before agreeing to any work or payment exchange. A lower price does not mean better work. Compare, research, and shop before signing a contract.

Storms affecting the Northeast part of the United States are not over, and with the warm weather just around the corner, rain accumulation for many homeowners is not something they are looking forward to experience.

Basement waterproofing companies are busy during this time of year because this is the time when water accumulates around the foundation and find its way to the basement and the walls of your home.

What are some of the signs that you need to see to call a professional instead of procrastinating?

Wet spots on the walls,

Cracks or shifting

Have water sitting on the floor of your basement

If you have problems with any of these issues happening in your home, it is time to call a waterproofing company to inspect it.There are many “quick” solutions you can try before making that call, but eventually, you will need to call a professional to inspect the home.

Are you afraid you cannot afford the basement waterproofing your home needs?

If you do your homework and call at least three trustworthy companies, and compare prices, you will learn that basement waterproofing is not as expensive as you might think.Some of these companies will provide companies where you can get the financing available, or you can always talk to your personal bank representative to see if their loan offer is better for you than going with the banks the basement waterproofing guys provided.

What loans can you get?

A Home Equity Line of Credit is a good choice for you if you have a first mortgage with the bank already.This kind of loan lets you pay it back at your own pace as long as you pay the minimum payment on time.You can get a good interest rate for this kind of loan if you shop around.

Home Equity Loan lets you borrow a fixed amount with a fixed payment over a period of years.It can be a 15 or 30 year home equity loan if that is what you wish.Take into consideration the interest you will be paying over that amount of time, if the interest rate is too high, shop around.

Credit Card charges to pay for home remodeling or home repairs is something that we personally do not recommend.Many people pay for the remodel or materials with credit cards because they want to acquire “points”, but at the end of the day, that is not a solution we recommend.

Whatever route you want to take, talking to the basement waterproofing company for solutions to your basement problem and then for financing available it is the recommended route many homeowners take.Do your homework first, and you will see great results.

According to a Consumer Report’s article, “Americans will spend about $200 billion dollars this year fixing up their homes—nearly a fifth in the form of DIY projects.”Many homeowners are handy, but a great deal of them only believe they are handy.There are many home projects that it’s better to have a professional do them.There is a huge difference between wanting to do the project and actually making it look good or professionally made.Not everything in your home needs to be done by you, the homeowner, especially if you are thinking about selling the home.

Top 3 home projects that pay to have a professional do them:

Roof – This is a big project that needs many hands and experience to accomplish. And depending on the shape of your home, it can be dangerous for you to do without help, or without the necessary protection.

Basement Waterproofing and Foundation repair – These are projects where a professional it’s not only recommended but need it.

Kitchen and Bathroom remodeling –The experience and quality of hiring a contractor or company to do these projects for you cannot be emphasized enough.

When deciding to hire a contractor for your basement waterproofing and foundation repair problems, roofing or kitchen remodeling, what are some of the qualifications you have to consider before making a decision?

Experience – An experienced basement waterproofing contractor or foundation repair company has seen many of the problems affecting wet basements and faulty or damaged foundations.If they have not seen the problem affecting your basement, the experience and knowledge they possess will help them find and fix your problem.

Reputation – A new company has not had the longevity to have an old list of satisfied customers, but if they have been in business for any number of years, they have a history and it is your responsibility to find out whether it’s a good or a bad one.

Insured Contractor – Having workers on your property without insurance is asking for trouble.If a contractor is not insured, have no permits, or is just “winging it”, he or they should not even be on your radar as prospective companies to hire.

Price – Having at least three different quotes from contractors is a good place to start if you want to compare prices.Do not sign a contract with the first prospect.Wait for at least two more prices to compare and then make an informed decision.

There are many home projects you can do without the help of professionals, but the major home projects you might want to do may require the help of experienced professionals in your area.

For many families in the United States, paying the mortgage on their home is already a tremendous effort. Research has shown that more than half of Americans bought too much house, to begin with, but also the interest rates, taxes, and the house upkeep was not taken into consideration by many of these first-time buyers when applying for a mortgage loan. Now, when the payments and property taxes are becoming too much, many homeowners realized they bought a house they cannot afford.

If you are buying your first home this year, these are 3 the things to consider:

Don’t buy too much house – The purchase price is not the only thing to consider when you are buying a home. Consider the bank rate, closing costs, property taxes, homeowner association fees, and the upkeep of the home.

Consider your other debts – If you have student loans or credit card debt, these debts can put a considerable dent in the income you bring home. Don’t forget to take into consideration the payment you will be made to pay these loans.

Do you have children? – If you have no children but are considering having them, taking into account the expense children bring into the home can be very helpful in deciding whether you can afford the home you are considering buying or not.

If you are a homeowner now and want to make sure things are in order, these are some of the things many homeowners fail to do.

Draft a will – According to research, 60% of Americans do not have a will. A will is not only for the people that are sick or old, a will is a document that protects your children and their well being. In case of a tragedy happening in your home, you want to make sure your children and your assets are protected.

Health Care Power of Attorney – This important document is a document protecting your well being while you are alive.

Homeowners Insurance – After buying a home why not protect it? Homeowner’s insurance is a necessity that you should never be without. A home is one of the most expensive assets a family will ever own, why not protect your investment?

Now that you have owned your home for several years, have you kept up with the home maintenance? Are you thinking about selling? According to many experts, to add value to your home or even if you are ready to sell the home, you need to consider this:

Declutter and clean your home – A home loses its beauty if it’s overflowing with junk. Painting the walls if the rooms need it, or throwing away items that are no longer used nor wanted can clear a home pretty quickly.

Staging your home- There are businesses that their entire income comes from the clever notion of staging the home to have it ready to sell for you. You do not need to do this if it will cut into your profit, but having a home staged it’s a clever notion that you can do by yourself.

Curb Appeal- If the front of your home is not clean, the bushes are overgrown, the flower beds are full of dead flowers, chances are your home won’t be appealing to many home buyers and the price they may offer won’t be what you are expecting.

These are some of the advice you need to consider if you have children, are a homeowner, or thinking about buying a home. Due diligence pays and it can save you lots of headaches later on. Enjoy your home!

One the many New Year’s resolutions many Americans make every year is the decision to do a home project or two around their homes.It is a good incentive and it seems more practical than other resolutions we make.

If you have decided to do a home project and need the help of a professional, hiring a contractor may the next step for you to follow through.If that is the case and you are ready to move forward remember this:

The state of Ohio requires licenses and permits for many sellers and other contractors in the state.

If you are ready to hire a contractor to do some work in your home, a license and permit are required if you want the work, and your home protected.

These are several businesses that require a licenseand permit to do business in the state of Ohio:

Electric Contractors/Installers

Plumbers

HVAC Contractors

Real Estate Agents & Appraisers

Boiler Operators

These permits and licenses are required to perform the work and they ensure that the consumer is protected from predatory and shady contractors.These contractors have to undergo a series of testing, criminal background checks, fingerprinting and even some financial bonding requirements.Hiring a contractor should not be a deterrent to postpone a serious problem you have in your home. There are many contractors in the state of Ohio that have excellent customer satisfaction records and a long history in their communities.

Some of the serious problems that you may encounter when doing home projects can include:

Foundation problems

Basement waterproofing issues

Roof issues

Electrical problems

Sewer problems

These issues can become a major financial problem if you ignore them, and for the majority of us, they require the help of a professional.From a small issue that can be easily repaired, these home issues can become big problems pretty quickly.

Other home issues that people don’t tend to take seriously are the gutters and the drainage system in their home.If you want the rain and snowmelt to drain away from the foundation of your home, you need to have gutters and the drainage pipes to take the water at least ten feet from the foundation, otherwise you will have water sitting around the foundation of your home that will eventually find its way to the walls and basement of your home.

If you are ready, and before hiring a contractor, check your local BBB website to find the rating of some of these businesses.Check customer satisfaction reviews and complaints about the business, and call at least three different contractors before you make a decision.

During this holiday season, it is expected that family members will visit and some of them will stay overnight or perhaps spend some days with the family.Rooms are needed and the habitable space available becomes a bit too crowded. Many family home projects are done during this season to freshen up your home or to provide room needed for those out of town families.If you are thinking along those lines, and you need extra space to shelter the relatives, waterproofing your basement before starting a basement remodeling project is one of the projects that will increase the value of your home while providing a cleaner, better living place for you.

In the especially brutal winters that Toronto is sometimes host to, it is especially crucial that homeowners keep the drains clean, clear, and well maintained by a professional drain cleaning service. When pipes are clogged in freezing weather, not only does the water freeze within the pipes, so does whatever is causing the clog, which can be an especially annoying and costly mess during the winter months. Contrary to what many people may believe, even minor clogged drains can cause serious problems to the plumbing system, which is why it is very important that homeowners enlist the help of a professional plumber before the problem worsens, so the problem be fixed as quickly as possible.

Along with the obvious mechanical problems that can arise when plumbing issues are not taken care of promptly, there is the problem of gray water, a nuisance not often though about. Gray water is filled with harmful bacteria, which pose a great health hazard if the water backs up and drains out onto the floor or into the sinks. If you’re like most households and plan to host a few people for dinner of a gathering over the winter, it’s imperative you keep the number of emergency drain cleaning services handy, just in case something goes horribly awry.

The cold weather has taken its time lately, but it seems that is finally here to stay. As homeowners, we need to make sure the furnace is working properly and is ready to last through the winter.A furnace, according to experts has a life expectancy of 18-20 years.For you to get the most out of your furnace, a yearly checkup by professionals is recommended, and changing the filters regularly ensures clean air is circulating in your home.

Waiting to see snow on the ground to call the heating and cooling professionals may not be the best move for you.If your furnace is old or is having “issues,” you need to be proactive and call a professional.Waiting till the furnace stops working for you to call, may cost you more in the long run.

By changing the filters in your furnace regularly, you ensure your furnace will have a long life.Another reason to change the filters regularly ensures the allergens that could be blowing through the vents won’t affect the people in your home that suffer from allergies or other respiratory health problems. There are a wide variety of filters to choose from.30-day filters are available at your local Home Depot, Walmart or Lowe’s stores. From dust and pollen high-performance filters to cleaner air filters you will have no problem choosing the one that is right for you.

Carbon monoxide is one of the more scary issues you have to deal with if you have an old furnace.The experts can detect if you have a carbon monoxide leak and can fix the problem before it becomes something fatal.

Efficiency is another reason why having an old furnace is expensive.The newer furnace models can save you money over the long run and can keep your home safe and warm.

Top three actions you need to take to ensure a long life for your furnace:

Yearly check-up is recommended

change the filters monthly if you can

Make sure the area around the furnace is clear and dry

During the holidays, as we use more heating and put our appliances to work overtime, ensuring they are working properly can save us a lot of headaches and money in the process.

Do you know if you have a water problem in your basement?Many families across the country dream about having a fully functioning basement where they can enjoy with their families and friends.A place where they cannot only store Christmas or other holiday decorations but and can spend time watching TV or playing with their kids.

What are some of the easy signs to look for in case you have water damage in your basement?

Water sitting on the floor of the basement

musty smell

condensation on the walls, ceiling or doors

cracks where the wall meets the floor

Rust in appliances you have in the basement

Dark spots on the walls or ceiling

Before starting with the basement remodeling, Do you know if there is a water issue you have to attend to first? Water problems in the basement of your home can come from two places only, the inside or outside of your home.If there is a problem with the pipes of your home and the basement is getting water sitting on the floor, replacing the piping may be the only solution at your disposal.If on the other hand, the water is coming from the outside, there may be different causes and solutions.

Having gutters clogged by debris and blocking the water passage could be the problem with an easy solution and a prompt fix.If on the other hand, the foundation is the one with the problem, you may need to contact a basement waterproofing expert to look into it and offer a solution that makes sense to you.

If you know you have a basement problem and want a professional opinion, calling a contractor can be the only option you have. Finishing a basement by yourself is a project worth doing, and one you may know how to tackle, but having a professional handling a basement project may the right answer for you. Do you know how to hire a professional to handle your home remodeling project? If not, here is a link for you to check and see what are the right questions to ask before you hire a contractor.